Luton Town are set to take on Plymouth Argyle in their upcoming Championship fixture, and manager Rob Edwards has provided an update on the squad’s fitness heading into the game.
As reported by Luton Today, the Hatters will be buoyed by the return of striker Jacob Brown, who has been sidelined since February due to a knee injury. After a long recovery period, Brown will travel with the squad to Devon, marking a significant step forward for the player.
Edwards remarked, “Browny, he’s travelling which will be great. We’ll see on that one (being in the match-day squad), but he’s making the journey down so that’s really good for us.”
Brown’s return is an encouraging development for Luton, especially given the prolonged absence following the serious knee injury sustained in training earlier in the year. The 26-year-old last featured for Town in the thrilling 4-4 draw with Newcastle United in February, but after weeks of training, he is now ready to join his teammates again. Whether he makes the match-day squad remains uncertain, but his inclusion in the travelling group signals a positive return to fitness.
On the other hand, Luton will have to cope without defender Amari’i Bell for an extended period. Edwards confirmed that Bell, who missed the recent 2-1 win over Sheffield Wednesday due to a hamstring injury, will be out for several weeks. While it isn’t the same injury that kept the Jamaican international sidelined for five months last season, his absence is a blow for the team. Edwards explained, “It’s a number of weeks. To put a figure on it right now, I wouldn’t want to put that pressure on him or the staff, but it is weeks. It’s not a week or 10 days, so that’s really disappointing and really frustrating for him.”
Bell’s versatility has been key for Luton, as the defender has played in various positions, allowing Edwards flexibility in his tactical setup. Edwards acknowledged how frustrating it is for both Bell and the team, saying, “He’s a big player for us… I want to be able to select my best players and he’s certainly one of those.”
There is, however, a glimmer of hope with the recovery progress of Shandon Baptiste and Daiki Hashioka. Both players are on the mend, with Baptiste nearing a return after missing two games due to a hamstring issue. Although he hasn’t yet trained with the squad, Edwards confirmed that Baptiste is “getting closer” and is out on the grass working well.
Hashioka, who has been recovering from a calf injury picked up in pre-season, is slightly ahead in his recovery and has already begun participating in group sessions. Edwards noted, “We’re getting there with those two,” which will come as welcome news for Luton as they face a busy stretch of matches in the coming weeks.
With Brown’s return to fitness and the hopeful recoveries of Baptiste and Hashioka, Luton Town can look forward to some relief in their squad depth, though Bell’s absence will leave a gap that will need to be addressed.
Writer’s View
Luton Town’s injury situation remains a mixed bag ahead of their trip to Plymouth. Jacob Brown’s return to the traveling squad is a significant boost after his long spell on the sidelines. His eventual reintegration into the match-day squad will offer more attacking options for Rob Edwards, and while it’s uncertain if he will feature against Plymouth, his progress is a positive sign for the future.
On the other hand, the loss of Amari’i Bell for several weeks is a major setback. Bell’s ability to play in multiple positions has provided Luton with tactical flexibility, and his absence will certainly be felt. With a demanding run of fixtures on the horizon, Edwards will need to rotate his squad carefully to compensate for Bell’s absence while also managing the return of key players like Baptiste and Hashioka.
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